What is the Spiritual Transcendence Scale (STS)?

The Spiritual Transcendence Scale (STS) is a scientifically validated 24-item self-report instrument developed by Ralph Piedmont that measures spiritual transcendence as a universal human capacity that extends beyond traditional religious boundaries. This assessment evaluates the experiential and transcendent aspects of spirituality that are common to all human beings, regardless of their specific faith tradition or lack thereof.

Who developed the STS and when?

Developed by Ralph L. Piedmont in 1999 as part of his research on spirituality as a sixth factor of personality. The STS was created to provide a reliable and valid measure of spiritual transcendence that could be used across diverse religious and cultural populations, complementing traditional personality assessments with this unique dimension of human experience.

What type of assessment is the STS?

The STS is a self-report questionnaire that uses a 5-point Likert scale format. It takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete and can be administered in clinical settings, research environments, or for self-assessment purposes. The scale is designed for adults and adolescents across all cultural and religious backgrounds.

What does the STS assess?

• Prayer Fulfillment: The ability to create a personal space that enables one to feel a positive connection to some larger reality, often experienced as feelings of joy, peace, and contentment
• Universality: The belief that there is a larger meaning and purpose to life, that all life is interconnected, and that there is a unifying force that governs existence
• Connectedness: The belief that one is part of a larger human reality that cuts across generations and individual differences, fostering feelings of responsibility for others and future generations

How many items and what format?

The STS consists of 24 items rated on a 5-point scale from 1 ("Strongly disagree") to 5 ("Strongly agree"), creating a total possible score range of 24-120. Items are distributed across three subscales: Prayer Fulfillment (6 items), Universality (6 items), and Connectedness (12 items).

How is the STS scored and interpreted?

Total scores are calculated by summing all item responses:

• 24-48: Very low spiritual transcendence (limited sense of connection)
• 49-72: Low spiritual transcendence (some awareness, limited connection)
• 73-96: Moderate spiritual transcendence (balanced sense of connection and meaning)
• 97-120: High to very high spiritual transcendence (strong sense of connection and purpose)

Subscale Score Ranges:

• Prayer Fulfillment: 6-30 points (capacity for spiritual fulfillment)
• Universality: 6-30 points (belief in universal meaning and interconnectedness)
• Connectedness: 12-60 points (sense of connection to others and the universe)

Unique Features and Advantages

• Universally Applicable: Designed to measure spirituality across all religious and cultural backgrounds
• Non-Denominational: Focuses on experiential rather than doctrinal aspects of spirituality
• Research-Based: Extensive validation across diverse populations and cultures
• Personality Integration: Can be used alongside personality measures for comprehensive assessment
• Clinical Utility: Useful for understanding spiritual resources in therapy and counseling
• Positive Psychology: Focuses on spiritual strengths and transcendent capacities

Research Applications and Validation

The STS has been extensively used in research:

• Cross-cultural studies of spirituality and well-being
• Mental health research examining spirituality as a protective factor
• Personality research investigating spirituality as a sixth factor
• Health psychology studies on spiritual coping and resilience
• Multicultural counseling and therapy outcome research
• Gerontological studies on aging and spiritual development

Populations and Special Considerations

The STS has been validated for use with:

• Adults and adolescents from diverse religious backgrounds
• Individuals with no religious affiliation (spiritual but not religious)
• Clinical populations receiving mental health treatment
• Cross-cultural and international populations
• Research participants in spirituality and health studies
• Individuals seeking spiritual development and growth

Special Considerations:

• Cultural interpretations of spirituality should be considered in score interpretation
• Individual religious or spiritual backgrounds may influence item understanding
• Not a measure of religious commitment or specific religious beliefs
• Should be interpreted within broader context of personal values and life experiences
• May be sensitive to major life transitions and spiritual development phases

Clinical Applications

• Therapeutic Assessment: Understanding client spiritual resources and strengths
• Treatment Planning: Incorporating spiritual dimensions into therapy
• Progress Monitoring: Tracking spiritual development during treatment
• Coping Assessment: Evaluating spiritual coping resources
• Wellness Evaluation: Assessing spiritual wellness as part of holistic health
• Research: Standardized measurement in spirituality and health studies

Strengths and Limitations

Strengths:

• Strong psychometric properties with good reliability and validity
• Culturally sensitive and applicable across diverse populations
• Measures universal aspects of spirituality rather than specific beliefs
• Brief and easy to administer in various settings
• Extensive research base supporting clinical and research applications
• Integrates well with personality and psychological assessments

Limitations:

• Self-report format may be subject to social desirability bias
• May not capture all dimensions of spiritual experience
• Cultural differences in spiritual expression may affect interpretation
• Individual differences in spiritual language and understanding
• Should be supplemented with clinical interview for comprehensive assessment

Integration with Other Assessments

The STS is often used alongside complementary measures:

• Big Five Personality Factors: Comprehensive personality assessment
• Beck Depression Inventory: Mental health screening
• Quality of Life scales: Overall well-being assessment
• Coping strategies inventories: Stress and coping evaluation
• Values assessments: Personal values and meaning exploration

Factor Structure and Subscales

The STS measures three distinct but related dimensions:

• Prayer Fulfillment (6 items): Capacity for transcendent experiences, sense of awe, and connection to higher power or ultimate reality
• Universality (6 items): Belief in the interconnectedness of all life, universal meaning and purpose, and unifying forces in existence
• Connectedness (12 items): Sense of connection to humanity, nature, future generations, ancestors, and one's inner spiritual self

Subscale analysis helps identify specific areas of spiritual strength and areas for potential development, allowing for more personalized approaches to spiritual growth and therapeutic intervention.